by Martin Ash
"This is madness!" declared Chandiston. "Though you are King, you may not trample upon what is sacred. I will hear no more of it!"
"Your sacred scriptures conflict!" cried Leth. "Yours, Chandiston, do not accord with those of the Far Flame. Theirs contest the veracity of those of the Children of Ushcopthe. You argue, one with the other, throughout time, and thus is your credibility eroded. It is an undeniable fact that you cannot all be right."
"Sire, you tread upon fragile ground," said Astress. "Where we differ is in perception and interpretation. But we all acknowledge the power of the gods and their right to worship."
"O-ohhh, you will bring doom upon us all!" wailed Madroluardh.
"You speak like a man possessed," said Edric of the Far Flame, with a voice dark and freighted.
Leth shook his head. "No. I speak as a man dedicated to truth. I say again, what will happen if I give you what you ask for? You come to me, together, in one voice, seeing me as your common adversary. But dispose of me, allow you your gods once more, and what will you do? Your unity will be instantly a thing of the past. In the name of your individual gods you will fight with one another. The Karai will still advance upon Enchantment's Reach, and you will rattle your relicts and weep and howl your prayers, and nothing will be changed! I say to you now, the gods as you claim to know them do not exist. You, or those who went before you, have created them. Those beings that do exist within Enchantment, though they may as well be gods, yet know nothing of you! Nor would they care if they did!"
Even Lord Fectur's head turned at this, as a shocked silence filled the chamber. He regarded Leth with an expression that was coolly and sternly appraising, while the faction heads sat momentarily as one, stiff in mute outrage.
Leth quickly gathered his thoughts. He had gone further than he had intended. He had hinted at knowledge of the inhabitants of Enchantment! But he would not back down, not now. The kingdom depended upon him. He stood, quickly. "I say this to you: stand with me now, give me your loyalty, your strength and support. Let us battle our common enemy together, in mutual accord, not fragmented and striving to do one another down. Join me in this hour of need, or begone. Aid me, or put yourselves from my sight and be silent. If you cannot take one of these two courses you will force me into an impossible position, for I have no choice but to view any other action as treason."
"Treason?" The word flew simultaneously from several mouths.
"If you are not with me you are against me and with my enemies. That is how the Crown must view any action seen to hinder its endeavour to combat this menace. These are dire days, requiring the sternest measures. I am declaring a Condition of Emergency, as of this moment. This Assembly is dissolved."
Again the silence of disbelief. Leth wheeled before it could break and strode from the hall. Lord Fectur was quickly at his side. "You may have gone too far, Sire."
"Not far enough, as far as I am concerned. I will not be opposed now, Fectur. Not when so much is at stake. Understand that. If any of them give me the slightest provocation I will throw them in jail."
"I would advise against that. I would advise that you reconsider your Declaration of Emergency."
"Why?"
"It is extreme. It gives you the power of life or death over any person, without recourse to the judiciary."
"Quite so. I do not intend to invoke that power unless I must, but it is essential that I am not opposed from within. If they will not see sense they must be shown it, or be obliged to keep silence."
"You will become isolated. Had you consulted me upon this decision I would have advised strongly against it. The consequences of your action may prove to be more far-reaching than you know. It will not be popular."
"We are in a state of war, Fectur."
"Of this I am quite aware."
"I must have absolute loyalty now. Furthermore, I am faced with the possibility of having to restore the True Sept to legitimacy. I see no other way if I am to meet with Grey Venger and discover what is known of the Legendary Child. At least under Emergency that legitimacy will be limited, and therefore more pleasing to the other factions."
"As the Sept will perceive. Such conditions may be unacceptable to them."
"We will see. But the fact is that I had no other choice."
"Perhaps that is the problem. It may be seen as the tactic of a desperate man."
Leth strode on, angered. Fectur remained at his shoulder. "Sire, you implied extraordinary knowledge of Enchantment."
"I spoke heatedly."
"Then you do not possess such knowledge?"
"I said only what is obvious to any who are not shackled and blindfolded by received wisdoms and
fixed beliefs."
"You spoke of beings within Enchantment, almost as though you had personal acquaintance. The factions will not let that pass. They will have every justification in calling for an explanation."
"There is nothing to be explained."
"Then there is nothing that I should be made aware of?"
"Nothing."
V
Had he really gone too far? Leth had not planned in advance to invoke the Condition of Emergency. He had considered it in the minutes approaching the meeting, but until a few moments before he had uttered those fateful words he had not really known that he was going to do so.
He had simply wanted to be done with these bawkers and complainers, these bloodsuckers who snagged and snared and sniped. To swipe them aside, at least temporarily, so that he might concentrate to the best of his abilities on the real emergency at hand.
But his action had been impulsive and emotional. Uncharacteristically so. This he acknowledged soberingly as he strode on alone through the corridors of Orbia. Alone, aware more than ever of the gulf that walked beside him now that Issul was no longer here.
How he had relied upon her, even without knowing it!
This is not me! I am not myself!
Orbelon, I must speak to you now! I need your advice!
But as always the ragged tenant of the blue casket was not answerable to the King's summons. He came when he wanted Leth, but not the other way around.
Leth resolved to consult Pader Luminis at the earliest opportunity and see if he agreed with Fectur's summation. For now, though, Pader remained with the faction leaders in the Hall of Assembly, and Leth had no intention of returning there.
Venger, I must see you. I must! You will tell me your secrets. Somehow I must get you to reveal all that you know of the Legendary Child. How is it that you, my enemy, my would-be assassin, inveigled my darling wife into your ancient labyrinthine schemings? What is your power?
Tears stung Leth's eyes. Issul, Issul, where are you? Why could you not have told me what you knew? What is this madness that has fallen upon us all?
Ahead he saw a figure, frail and grey-garbed, passing almost ghostlike along the corridor towards him.
"Mawnie?"
She approached as though drifting, her face almost as grey as her thin gown, her eyes glazed and red from weeping. But a smile flitted ghostly upon her face as she saw her royal brother-in-law.
"Leth. Oh, Leth."
She came to him and put her head upon his shoulder. Leth held her gently. "Mawnie, what are you doing here?"
"Looking for you, Leth. Don't you know?" Mawnie drew back her head, looked smiling into his eyes. She put her hand to his face, then reached up and pressed her lips to his.
Leth pushed her away. "Mawnie! No! This is wrong. You don’t know what you are doing!"
Mawnie gave a harsh laugh. "Oh I do, Leth. I do. I am looking. It was me, you see. In the woods. They all think Ressa. But truly it was me. But kiss me, Leth. Love me. You do love me, in your most secret heart, don't you?"
She came to him again, but Leth stepped back. "Mawnie, I’ll take you back."
"Back? No. I wish to see Lir. Where is she?"
"In the nursery, I would imagine. Or playing somewhere with her nanny."
"And where is. . . where is
my sister? What has happened to her?"
"Issul? She has gone away for a few days. Come, Mawnie, let’s go back to your chamber."
"Not Issul. I know about Issul," said Mawnie. "No. No. It is Ressa. Where is she? Where is Ressa? I want to see her."
Leth put his arm gently about her shoulder and tried to steer her back the way she had come, towards her chambers.
Mawnie pulled away suddenly, her eyes blazing. "Bah! You are just like him. You don't love me. You think me dirty. You think I am nothing!" She ripped at her gown, exposing her breasts. "I’m nothing! Nothing!"
"Mawnie!"
He took her wrists, for she was striking herself, lacerating her pale flesh with her nails. Mawnie began to scream, fighting against him, then her screams became sobs. "Oh why, oh why, oh why, oh why? Oh why, why, why?"
A servant came running. A little way behind him came Mawnie's nurse, distraught and filled with self-blame. "I went to get the Duchess water, Sire. She sent me. She had knocked over her pitcher, breaking it and spilling the contents. She said she was parched."
"Very good. Just help me now."
Together they got Mawnie back to her bedchamber, but she had to be held down upon the bed. Doctor Melropius came and administered a strong herbal sedative, and eventually Mawnie slept.
"I’m in two minds as to whether to recommend restraints," said Melropius. "Her condition isn’t improving and I fear she may be a danger to herself, and also to others. But in the Duke's absence I would require your authority, Sire."
Leth shook his head. "Not unless we absolutely must. Assign two nurses to her at all times. If necessary, as now, they must hold her down. But I will not have her strapped. Not yet. I will put a guard upon her apartment door also."
Melropius nodded. "And you, Sire? Can I give you something?"
"Me?"
"You are under great strain. You must take care, Sire. A potion to calm your nerves, help you to sleep, would be of great benefit just now."
"I have no need of your potions," Leth flared. "Save your ministrations for those who need them, Doctor."
He turned and stormed from the chamber.
Orbelon, I have to speak to you!
But only days had passed since he and Orbelon had last met. It seemed unlikely that he would be summoned again so soon.
VI
On the occasion that Leth had taken the piece of cheese to Orbelon, in line with the strange creature’s request, something unusual had happened. Orbelon asked Leth to place it on the ground between them, then to step back. Then Orbelon had shuffled forward and lowered himself to a sitting position before the cheese. He inhaled deeply, seeming to draw the aroma of the cheese into him with some pleasure.
"Aah, yes," he breathed. "I remember so well."
A tattered limb had reached out and taken the cheese into his rags. He sat then, quite still, and for a long time was silent. Eventually he had said, "Good. Good. All is well. Next time, will you bring me water, King Leth? Just a small amount. And a stone, a simple pebble or piece of gravel will suffice. And lastly, for now, something of wood. Small and easy to carry - even a handful of sawdust will do."
Leth had ventured a question. "What are these things for?"
He had the impression that Orbelon was appraising him, considering the question.
"It is something of an experiment," Orbelon said presently. "A test. Something that I wish to ascertain after long ages of hope, toil and wonder. But now, Leth, you have begun this session with a question. Previously, in recent meetings, you have listened well. I know there are many questions you would ask if you could. Well, I offer you the opportunity to do so now. Please, ask what you will."
Leth had hesitated, somewhat surprised. He had grown accustomed to being reprimanded, ignored or even dismissed for introducing questions - at least, those that did not pertain directly to the topic Orbelon had chosen to enlighten him on. Now the questions tumbled before his mind's eye, and he hardly knew where to begin.
"This place," he said, indicating with his arms the vast enclosed blue space that surrounded him. "What is it? How did it come to be? What is its extent?"
Orbelon chuckled to himself. "It is the Orb, as I am the Orb. No, hold your indignation! I know this is how I answered you when you posed the same question at our first meeting. But I will say more, insofar as I am able. This place is a realm, an otherwhere that exists within, beyond, and dependent upon your own realm. It is, in a sense, a nothing, yet at the same time it exists, and a nothing cannot truly exist, nor can it be described."
Leth regretted that he had asked. "You choose to answer me in riddles. Do you make fun of me?"
The great bundled head shook slowly from side to side. "This place has been created to fulfil a purpose which I cannot yet reveal to you. You ask about its extent. You mean, does it have a beginning and an end? Yes, it does, in a manner of speaking. But only to those who understand its laws. I say to you, does the cosmos in all its fullness have a beginning and an end? Show me its limits. Do consciousness or unconsciousness have a beginning and an end? Show me their limits. Show me the beginning of Creation, then show me where it ends."
Leth was disquieted by the answer. He looked about him. "There are walls, in the distance, yet close. But if I move towards them they are never closer."
"They indicate, perhaps, that no matter how far you go, there will always be something unknown and hidden beyond. Were you to have the means to leave your world and take wing to the stars, how far would you travel, for how long? Would you ever reach the universe's end, or its beginning? If you did, then you would be forced to consider your journey fruitless. For that terminus, that state at which all things begin or end, would reveal to you only that there had to be something beyond, something in which the condition was contained. Another, greater universe. Another, greater realm. An enigma. Perhaps absolutely nothing - yet it would still exist, for if it did not how could you possibly be aware of it? Or is it possible that, in making the awareness, the leap of imagination, you are actually creating the possibility of the existence of the thing itself?
"In fact that journey is not necessary, Leth. Not physically. For you are already blessed with the means to undertake it. Do you see? No matter how far you might travel, the journey, truly, is one that leads inwards."
"I’ve contemplated such mysteries before," said Leth. "They are unanswerable, futile. The more one considers them the more one is taken through terror to the edge of madness."
"It is in a kind of madness, a letting go of all that is known and familiar, that an answer may be found."
"No!" Leth shook his head emphatically. "We are going too far."
"Too far? You, who have lived your entire life within the Reach? Have you not always known, somewhere deep inside you, that one day you might have to step over. You have surely wondered what might lie on the other side? We are entering Mystery, Leth. Do you not wish to travel? Truly, this is only the beginning."
"Let me get my breath. Let me step back." Leth had broken into a sweat. His heart pounded, his blood hummed in his ears. "You are asking me to understand too much that I cannot grasp."
"It is you who are asking the questions, Leth."
"But your answers fill me with fear."
"An important admission from one who is King of his realm."
"Just let me take my own pace. You said once that this place is a prison. Are you its sole occupant? Can you leave?"
"I said also that it has a role, a purpose."
"Is its purpose not to contain you?"
"It is, but not for eternity."
"Then you can leave?"
"When certain conditions are fulfilled."
"Is it all so empty?"
"It is as you perceive it."
"Can others exist here? Do others exist here?"
"Ah, now that is an interesting point. The laws of this realm are very precise, held on a delicate balance. I have spent many ages trying to understand them and then to effect modifications of
them. I’ve been successful only to a small degree."
"But you are alone here?"
"The concept has no meaning when you understand that not only am I the tenant of this realm, the Orb, but I am also the Orb itself. Are you alone, Leth, within yourself?"
At the time Leth had had no answer. He had not even wanted to answer. The question, like the conversation that preceded it, had his mind spinning. He was left seated in numbed silence before the hunched, tattered figure, and then Orbelon had said, "We have spoken enough for today. Reflect upon these things, Leth. Until the next time."
And he had raised his staff and cast the King from his blue and empty realm.
*
Now Leth had an answer. As he came from the bedchamber where Mawnie lay in her madness, sedated and under guard, he knew without question that he was alone. Within and without himself. Issul gone, perhaps dead, perhaps a prisoner of his enemy. His people turning against him, his realm in peril of being overwhelmed and lost. He was anguished and raging, and aware that his judgement was no longer clear.
'You who have lived your entire life within the Reach. Have you not always known that one day you might have to step over?'
My duty is to my people. I must protect them. I must bring them back to me.
'You have surely wondered what might lie on the other side?'
I have always questioned, thought Leth. Always wished to know. But not like this.
'We are entering Mystery, Leth. Do you not wish to travel?'
He shook his head as he walked.
No! Not like this. Absolutely not!
He was overcome with a fear, greater, more chilling and more profound than he could explain.
TWO
I
The rain continued to batter Enchantment's Reach that day, borne in sudden violent blasts on angry winds. In the afternoon Sir Cathbo brought Leth the news that Prince Anzejarl's army had crossed Uxon's Ridge and was now within three leagues of Giswel Holt.
